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Ohio and Kent State

Ohio and Kent State were far away from Australia. But like America, the Vietnam war hung like a noose around the collective neck of the Nation. We were fired by a cause, an innocence born out of a belief that a voice could be louder than the gun. Banners and protest choked the commerce of cities, chants rose like prayers to drown out drums. Governments saw something dangerous in the swelling power of the young. Then bullets tore into the dream. The images of death that had for years soaked television screens with the blood of Vietnam, had come home. Innocence was lost. Our generation are old men and women now, picking over the bones of our dreams. Some of us still know the words of Neil Young's anthem, ‘Ohio’, or Redgum’s ‘I was only 19’, see the images of war still bleed across our television screens.

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Gershon Wolf

Date: 4/6/2024 9:25:00 PM

I sure remember... even watch old Crosby Stills Nash and Young videos of 'Four Dead in Ohio.' ... A Tidbit for you: Neighbor of mine stopped off at the Kent State Campus last year. He asked for a tour of the Memorial to the four victims. He was greeted by the Administrative Officer with 'What are you talking about?' The supervisor was even more blunt. He drove around, asked questions, found nothing, and drove dumbfounded, as was I when he told me. Go figure... ~ gw

Paul Willason
Date: 4/7/2024 2:59:00 PM

Dear Gershon, the account you have given of your neighbours experience at Kent State is sad. We imperil our humanity when we forget the victims of violence and such a disregard for history almost guarantees a repeat. Thankyou so much for reading my poem and providing comment. Like you I still view CSN and Y on youtube. Take care fellow traveller.

J. Summers

Date: 4/4/2024 5:17:00 PM

An awesome poem Paul. I was a college sophomore in Michigan at the time. Shock and disbelief quickly turned into demonstrations on campuses across the country. “Picking over the bones of our dreams,” great line. John

Paul Willason
Date: 4/4/2024 8:12:00 PM

Good to hear from you my friend...thankyou for your comments. Those times came highly charged with emotions and set off events that still ripple today. We all carry memories of that period, a mixed bag of uncertainty, freedom, fear and good times. Produced some bloody good music. Take care...

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 4/4/2024 5:13:00 PM

I remember those days of protests and clearly remember the shock and fear I felt when I watched the coverage of that fateful day at Kent State. I agree with these words: Then bullets tore into the dream. The images of death that had for years soaked television screens....come home. Innocence was lost." I felt the same the day Kennedy was shot. I was 12 years old in Dallas;we were watching the motorcade coverage on TV in school. Will never forget the sound of the shots and the paralyzed nation.

Paul Willason
Date: 4/4/2024 8:04:00 PM

A surreal time. The Australian experience almost exactly mirrored the American situation. I too can recall the Kennedy. assassination...shook the foundations. That period underwent profound shifts in attitude and culture...unleashed a sense of uncertainty, the old system was crumbling. Trouble is, the new model isn't much better...apart from the destructive power of our weapons. Thankyou Sara.

Frederic Parker

Date: 4/3/2024 7:24:00 PM

the song Eve of Destruction is as relevant today as it was yesterday...those who hunger for war have never been to war...my first thoughts after reading your poem

Paul Willason
Date: 4/4/2024 7:48:00 PM

Thankyou Frederic for reading and commenting on the poem. That era produced some memorable music, quite unique and inspired songs. I guess the mood acted on the creativity of the artists at the time...big themes, big emotions...big music. Regards, Paul